Flange adaptor for altering the end configuration of a spool



June 18, 1968 M. M. LAUEN ET A FLANGE ADAPTOR FOR ALTERING THE END CONFIGURATION OF A SPOOL Filed Oct. 5, 1966 INVENTOR. MARGUERITE M. LAUEN JAMES E. LAUEN United States Patent "ice 3,388,877 FLANGE ADAPTOR FOR ALTERING THE END CONFIGURATION 0F A SPOOL Marguerite M. Lauen and James E. Lauen, both of 6647 Thornwood, San Diego, Calif. 92111 Filed Oct. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 583,708 2 Claims. (Cl. 242118.4)

ABSTRACT OF THE DESCLOSURE The flange adaptor of this invention fits on a spool construction and changes the configuration of the end flange of the spool so that rolling of the spool is selectively prevented, while the spool construction may otherwise be used for conventional purposes.

Background of the invention This construction is particularly adapted for use with spools such as domestic sewing thread spools. Such spools normally have a circular flange at each end. They will easily roll when placed with both flanges engaging a surface. Anyone who has used these spools recognizes the difliculty encountered when such a spool rolls oflta table top or the like, usually unwinding the thread as it rolls.

Prior attempts to solve this problem have included elements such as integral bosses or ears extending out from the circular flanges. Specific non-circular flange shapes have also been proposed. However, these arrangements are not compatible with current spool manufacturing techniques or with thread winding processes. Also, they are unsuitable for use in spool dispensing vending machines. A large number of thread spools are sold by means of these vending machines which are built to dispense spools having circular flanges. The circular flange is well suited to spool manufacturing and production, threading operations and can also be easily handled within the vending machine.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved spool construction that offers the advantages of a circular spool flange and embodies structure eliminates the disadvantage of a circular flange and also utilizes the advantages of non-circular flanges, while eliminating the disadvantages of non-circular spool flanges.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved spool construction that is lightweight and inexpensive, and that includes a non-circular flange adaptor member that can be fitted in a place adjacent the circular end flanges or be removed as desired.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an improved spool construction for use with thread, wherein the adaptor flange member can be affixed to either end of the spool and will readily hold the free end of the thread in place.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a mid-sectional elevation of a spool construction according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation of the construction shown in FIGURE 1 taken in the direction of the arrows 2-2.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of a portion of the flange adaptor member and fastening projection shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 5 is an end elevation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation of a third embodiment of the present invention showing a non-circular (hexa- Patented June 18, 1968 gon) flange adaptor member for use with a substantially conventional spool.

FIGURE 7 is an elevation, partly in section, of a substantially conventional spool showing the flange adaptor member of FIGURE 6 aflixed in place in the operative position.

Referring to the drawings, the first embodiment of the invention is shown in detail in FIGURES 1 through 3. A spool construction is indicated generally by the number 10. The spool construction shown is of the type normally used to hold sewing thread and may be formed as an integral unit from a durable, lightweight plastic such as polystyrene. The spool 19 at one end has a circular end flange 18 that has an opening 20 formed therein. The opening is surrounded by a wall 22. The opening and wall are provided to accommodate a spool mandrel on a sewing machine. A thread holding notch (not shown) is formed on the periphery of the flange 18 according to the lay of the thread to seat a section of thread adjacent the free end of the thread. A sloping portion 24 extends axially inward from the end flange 18 and ends in a tubular portion 26 on which the thread is spooled. The tubular portion has an inner surface 28. The plurality of webs 34 extend through the longitudinal length of the spool 10. A circumferential recess 33 in each end of the spool 10 aids in the manufacture of the spool.

The other end of the spool has an end flange 30 that is non-circular in shape. A hexagonal configuration is shown in the drawings. A sloping portion 32 extends axially inward from the end flange 30 and ends in a tubular portion 26. The webs 34 at one end or at either end have a circular embossment 29. In the present instance, two of such embossments are shown. However, it is to be understood that the embossments may be placed on any of the Webs. The non-circular flange 30 prevents the spool construction It) from rolling when it is placed with both its end flanges engaging a surface. This prevents accidental rolling of the spool and unwinding of the thread when the spool has thread thereon.

Spool manufacturing processes and vending machines or dispensing machines often require that both spool end flanges be circular in shape in order to effectively handle and dispense the spools. So this is accomplished by affixing a circular flange adaptor member 42 adjacent the non-circular spool end flange 30. The flange adaptor member includes the adaptor flange 44 which has a thin and circular configuration. This flange must be at least as large in diameter as the major dimension of the hexagonal end flange 30. Preferably the dimensions will be the same.

The adaptor flange 42 has a pair of projections 46 and 48 extending axially therefrom. These projections include a pair of separated fingers which have a substantially arcuate or circular recess 47. The fingers partially expand when they are inserted over the embossment 29 on the web 34- and then contract to grip the embossment 29 creating a fastening engagement.

Thus, when the flange adaptor member 42 is aflixed in place, the spool construction has two end flanges of circular configuration. The spool construction may now be readily handled during the balance of the manufacturing and thread winding processes as well as in a dispensing or vending machine. Once the spool construction is removed from the vending machine, the flange adaptor member is quickly and easily removed from the spool by moving it axially outward away from the spool end flange 30 so that the projections 46 and 48 move away from the embossments 29. The non-circular end flange 36 now prevents the spool from rolling when it is placed on its end flanges. The flange adaptor member is preferably ringshaped as shown in FIGURE 2, and has enlarged portions 5% and 52 which give added support to the projections 46 and 48.

A second embodiment of the present invention, see FIGURES 4 and 5, comprises a circular ring 54 that may be made of flexible material, such as plastic or the like. The ring 54 has a circumferential lip 56 that fits over the points of the non-circular hexagonal flange of the spool 10. In this embodiment the spool will have a c rcular recess 57 for receiving the lip 56. In installation, the circular flange adaptor member 54 is pulled or snapped over the end of the spool in the well known manner.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 of the drawings. This embodiment utilizes a substantially conventional spool configuration having a body 58 with two permanently attached circular end flanges 60 and 62 (FIGURE 7). A central bore 64 is provided in the body 58. The flange adaptor member consists of a non-circular adaptor flange 66 which is indicated as hexagonal in the drawings. The adaptor flange 66 has a hollow, substantially tubular, extension 68 extend ng at approximately a right angle therefrom. The extension includes an enlarged collar 70 near its free end. Also, a plurality of slots 72 are provided in the free end of the extension.

The spool has circular end flanges so that it may be easily handled in a dispensing machine. However, after it is removed from the machine, the flange adaptor member is afiixed in place as shown in FIGURE 7 and the spool will not roll when it is placed on its flanges.

The flange adaptor member is aflixed by inserting the free end of the extension 68 into the central bore 64 of the spool body 58. Pressure is applied to move the extension into the central bore, and the slots 72 permit contraction of the collar 70 as it is moved into the bore. The rounded shape of the collar facilitates entry and removal of the extension with respect to the bore. When the collar is contracted, a compressive force is created in the extension which holds it in friction contact with the sidewall of the bore 64. The relative dimensions of the central bore 64 and the hollow substantially tubular extension 68 are variable, according to the size of the spool and the diameter of the mandrel of the sewing machine upon which the spool and adapter are to be used. In this arrangement, the adaptor flange 66 must also be at least as large as the end flange 62 of the spool.

While the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail, it is to be understood that other modifications are contemplated that would be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim: 1. A spool construction comprising: a spool body formed of a hollow section, one end of said section having a circular end flange with a centrally located opening in its outer surface,

said opening being bordered on the inside of the flange by a wall and a cylindrical tube portion extending inwardly from said end flange,

said circular end flange having permanent notches or slots formed on the periphery of said flange for seating a section of thread adjacent the free end of said thread in accordance with the lay of said thread on said spool,

said notches or slots being elfective during the useful life of said spool,

the other end of said section including a non-circular end flange having seating means in the outer surface thereof and said cylindrical tube portion extending inwardly therefrom; and

a flange adaptor member having a circular configuration with a projection for removably fitting onto a seating means on the non-circular end flange in the aflixed position thereby giving said non-circular end flange a circular outer configuration.

2. A spool construction according to claim 1 wherein the end flanges include sloping portions between the outer end surfaces and the inwardly extending tube portions, and

the adaptor flange is ring-shaped with an enlarged portion extending radially inward, which enlarged portion supports the projections.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 808,114 12/1905 Rowley et al 242-1252 922,893 5/1909 Hawkes 223-109 1,028,877 6/ 1912 Herrick. 1,168,940 1/1916 Fisher 242-1184 2,265,126 12/1941 Bersche 242-1252 2,819,853 1/ 1958 Kozlevcar 242-1252 3,283,976 11/1966 Snyder 225-64 FOREIGN PATENTS 12,735 1901 Great Britain.

GEORGE F. MAUTZ, Primary Examiner. 

